Picking up on that idea was enough to propel Derrick Borte from 20 years of making commercials to writing and directing his first feature, “The Joneses,” which stars Demi Moore and David Duchovny and just premiered at Toronto.

From watching a TV news report about stealth marketing, he learned that “companies were sending models into nightclubs to order a certain drink over and over and over again.” Suddenly, other people around them would start ordering the very same drink.

Or people went to a tourist destination and asked someone to take their picture with a fancy new camera. “Inevitably, people would ask about the camera and when they described it, sales of that camera would go up.”

That’s when the light bulb went on for Borte: “I thought about what would happen if you took this to its inevitable conclusion of placing a fake family into a neighborhood.” They’d be the Joneses that everybody wants to keep up with.

“I had been directing commercials for a long time and wanting to get into the feature world,” he said. “I knew the only way that was going to happen was if I had material that would give me some leverage.”

The film he wrote to get there, Borte said, is “a dark comedy with some social commentary satire and a love story.”

The story: “This perfect family moves into this perfect McMansion neighborhood and they’ve got the best of everything. They immediately develop a following of people who want to emulate them and begin buying the same things that they have. Then we find out that all is not as it seems in the Joneses’ household.”

And that’s enough story for now, he cautioned: “There are some big spoilers there and I’d rather not be the one to reveal anything.”

So how’d he get to make it? “Through a series of connections I got it to a producer, Kristi Zea (“Revolutionary Road”), who loved it and asked if she could be part of the team.”

After that Borte took 200 or so meetings. “I had some offers to sell it as a TV show. Kristi had shown the script to James Brooks, whom she’s worked with for years. I got a call from him one day. I thought it was a friend of mine playing a joke on me.”

No, it really was Brooks. And he loved the script.

Brooks (to Borte): “The only advice I’m going to give you is do not sell this as a TV show. Direct it. Make the film yourself and then you can do whatever you want. But you’ve got to make this film.”

Borte (recalling): “It really validated what I was thinking already myself. When you’re staring at the possibility of a large amount of money to sell something, it is tempting. But I ended up staying the course and writing, producing and directing it for a fraction of what I could have sold it for as a TV show.”

Any regrets? “It’s the smartest decision I think I’ve ever made.”

He’s looking now for a domestic distribution deal following the film’s favorable reception at Toronto, where this year saw much less deal-making than in the past. “Joneses” was one of the fest’s higher profile titles.

Looking back at production, Borte said his screenplay attracted the cast led by Moore and Duchovny and he took to directing easily enough: “They all responded very positively to the script and numerous meetings followed. I just seemed to feel a chemistry with everyone.”

They shot last fall in Alpharetta, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. The location made sense with its tax incentives, good local crews and actors and help from the Georgia Film Office.

Borte knew this was the right place when he saw “its massive gated communities with these McMansions that I really didn’t see anywhere else.”

As for transitioning from directing commercials to features: “My ideas about what it would be like ahead of time were probably far more difficult to deal with than how things actually went on the days there.”

The challenge in making an independent film, he observed, is that “you can’t always get all the time and all the toys you want. Yet there’s a great sense of camaraderie that everyone is really making some kind of sacrifice for the greater good of the project, which is wonderful.”

A powerful enactment of the most misunderstood and disliked First Lady in American history and the Great Emancipator who was taken from the world too early. Based on meticulous research, the scenes are a historically accurate look at Mary and Abraham Lincoln’s 26 years together. An Evening with Mary and Abraham Lincoln weaves history and imagination into a story of love and ambition to show two of America’s most famous legends as people just like you and me. As historian William C. Davis said, “Kay duPont shows Mary Todd Lincoln as she really was—beauty, warts and all.”

Much to the audience’s pleasure, Mr. Lincoln magically appears in silhouette to share an occasional reminiscence with his wife (both personal and historical), express his heartbreaking thoughts on slavery and the Civil War, and deliver the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address.

When you leave this professionally produced play, you’ll feel like you’ve been inside the life of one of the world’s most famous couples to share their life, love and tragedies. You’ll have learned and laughed, chuckled and cried, smiled and sighed. And you’ll never forget the experience!

ATLANTA — Tractor-trailors circled the Capitol, and cables snaked through its hallways Wednesday as a production company filmed scenes for a Fox television series.

The lights, cameras and dozens of T-shirt-clad technicians served as the perfect setting for state officials to trumpet the impact of tax breaks enacted into law in 2008. In the 16 months since the 30 percent tax credit took affect, 60 feature films, TV movies, series and specials have been produced in Georgia, representing $521 million in investment and a $929 million economic impact.

a guy who worked w/ my husband for years at the fire dept has a granddaughter who has battled cancer and just had her 16th birthday. the email below is from the fire dept asking for bday cards. i would be so appreciative if you could join us in that effort. of course only notes of encouragement and good things, nothing heavy as she has more than her share of that. thank you in advance –

Tim and Cathy Lammie’s granddaughter, Cearria has been battling cancer for about 20 months and now has been sent home on hospice and only has a short time. The Make a Wish Foundation gave her a party for her 16th birthday this past Saturday. She was able to attend her “Ball”. I am also attaching Cearria’s address. Even if you did not know them it would mean a lot for Cearria to get some cards.

Movie director Robert Redford will return to Savannah, ten-years after choosing the coastal city for the golfing film “The Legend of Baggar Vance.” The City of Savannah announced Friday that Redford’s new movie, a Civil War feature called “The Conspirator,” will be shot in the Savannah area. Filming is scheduled to begin in mid-October and will continue through November.

“We are very excited about the positive impact this project will have on our community,” Savannah Tourism and Film Director Jay Self said. “The economic impact of production will be in the millions. The wide exposure such projects bring can pay dividends for years.”

Set against the ominous backdrop of post-Civil War Washington, “The Conspirator” follows the extraordinary trial of Mary Surratt, the lone woman among those charged with conspiring to kill Abraham Lincoln. Idealistic young war hero Frederick Aiken reluctantly defends Surratt, eventually coming to believe in her innocence while struggling to find justice in a city bent on retribution.

The film’s producer, American Film Company, has opened a production office and a sound studio in Savannah and is asking interested job-seekers to send their resumes. It’s not immediately known how many jobs will be created by the film or what its economic impact will be on Savannah.

“The Conspirator” will be the second major motion picture to film in Savannah since Georgia lawmakers boosted tax incentives to lure movie makers. The first was “The Last Song” starring Miley Cyrus, which wrapped its shooting several weeks ago.

Heigl headed back to town to shoot ‘Life’ with Duhamel

Atlanta, get set for more Katherine Heigl sightings. The film and TV actress has already spent a big chunk of time here this year, shooting the upcoming comic thriller “Five Killers” with Ashton Kutcher. Now that the “Grey’s Anatomy” actress has been granted a five-episode leave from the hit ABC drama, Buzz can confirm that Heigl is headed back to town this fall to shoot the romantic comedy “Life As We Know It” for Warner Brothers. The film is set to be directed by Greg Berlanti, a TV producer and series creator best known for his work on “Everwood,” “Eli Stone,” and “Brothers & Sisters.” Judging from the film’s plot, Berlanti’s expertise in combining comedy with pathos will come in handy. The challenging central story of “Life”: A single guy and girl are thrust together when they’re named guardians of their best friends’ daughter after the parents die in a car crash. The male half of the equation? “Transformers” star Josh Duhamel, who’s already been spotted at the brand-new swanky St. Regis hotel in Buckhead. According to Variety, “Mad Men” actress Christina Hendricks (who plays slinky Sterling Cooper office manager Joan Holloway on the Emmy-addicted AMC series) has also been signed to co-star in the film. We’re also hearing that The Mansion in Buckhead could be a locale for star sightings this fall and that scenes for the film could be shot at Turner Field. The film is slated to shoot into November. Warner Brothers is planning a December 2010 theatrical release.

Do you need funding for your film or video production? The Big Picture Film & Video Foundation is pleased to now offer Fiscal Sponsorship to student and independent filmmakers seeking federal funding for qualifying film and television productions.

What is Fiscal Sponsorship?
Fiscal sponsorship refers to the practice of non-profit organizations offering their legal and tax-exempt status to groups or individuals engaged in activities related to the organization’s missions. It typically involves a fee-based contractual arrangement between a project and an established non-profit.

Through fiscal sponsorship, you may qualify for federal funding for your film project by applying for grants made to individuals through a fiscal agent. The Big Picture Film & Video Foundation is a nonprofit charitable 501(c)(3) organization which qualifies for federal funding. As an individual or entity seeking funding, applicants may be able to get funding for their project through our fiscal sponsor program.

For detailed information about the program and how to apply, visit http://www.gabpc.com and click Fiscal Sponsorship. Or call 770-726-9818.

The program will run on Saturdays for four weeks from October 3 – 24 and bring out each student’s special gift for acting and prepare them for the business in four stages: Audition Techniques,Commerical Acting, Improvisation and Film. Each class is two hours in length.Class ScheduleWeek 1 – Audition Techniques – Students learn how to slate, master the cold reading and how to prepare for an audition for a commercial or film.Week 2 – Commercial Acting – Students will learn the basics of perfecting specific characters for commercials while establishing the foundation to build solid acting skills for film. They will learn how to slate, memorize quickly, master the cold read and get to the “next level” of commercial auditioning.

Week 3 – Improvisation – Students work on their listening and quick decision making skills and focus on being spontaneous, while “agreeing and proceeding” with others to make a scene work. The exercises presented help actors get to the truth of relationships in and easy and fun way whether working alone, with a partner or in a group.

Week 4 – Film – Young actors learn about the elements of filmmaking as well as how actors fit in the the filmmaking process. Actor’s perform for the camera (which varies from stage performance), and students gain an understanding of how a film set operates.Cost: $150 per student. Make checks payable to Creative Studios of Atlanta and send to 500 Bishop Street, Suite F8, Atlanta, GA 30318SPACE IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 12 STUDENTS TO REGISTER FOR EACH CLASS!Classes6 to 8 year olds- 10:00am – 12:00pm9 to 12 year olds – 12:30pm – 2:30pm13 to 17 year olds – 3:00pm – 5:00pm

ABOUT RENÉE FORD CLARK: Renée Ford Clark is an actor, model and acting instructor. Originally from New York City Renee has appeared in many feature films including Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion, ATL, The Gospel as well as the blockbuster hit, The Secret Life of Bees. Prior to moving to Atlanta, Renée trained and acted on the stage in New York. Her acting training in Atlanta includes The Alliance Theater and The Chez Group. Renée has been teaching acting to children for over five years. She has a child’s heart and infinite patience and understands the special sensitivities of working with children. She has a particular skill in drawing out each child’s unique gift and instilling confidence and a “can-do” attitude.

Here’s what parents have to say about “Miss Renee”:

“I appreciate your support and encouragement for my son, Mark. It is wonderful to have positive people in your children’s lives that they admire and will actually listen to. I can tell you are passionate about what you do.” Georgia Nations

“The help you gave Danielle was what she needed to fine-tune her monologue. And the comments she received from the agents reinforces that belief. Thanks for your help.” Julie Van Buren

“Grace said she had a ‘Grrrreat time” with you. You were very productive with her and I really appreciate that. You have a great way with kids. I admire that.” Cindy Patrick

For more information call Creative Studios of Atlanta at 404-355-4588 or Renée Ford Clark at 404-218-7955.

For more information call Creative Studios of Atlanta at 404-355-4588.